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Social Media Use in Law Enforcement
1.
Which of the following activities do you leverage social media tools for? (Check all that apply)
Crime investigations
Listening/monitoring for potential criminal activity
Soliciting crime tips
Monitoring special events (sports, public demonstrations, dignitary/celebrity visits, etc.)
Notifying the public of crimes
Notifying the public of emergencies/disasters
Notifying the public of traffic issues
Community outreach to build public relations
Background investigations for job candidates
In-service training
Recruitment
Analytical support
Other (please specify)
2.
In the past 12 months, how often have you used social media for the following activities?
Never
Less often
2-3 times/month
2-3 times/week
Daily
Crime investigations
Never
Less often
2-3 times/month
2-3 times/week
Daily
Listening/monitoring for potential criminal activity
Never
Less often
2-3 times/month
2-3 times/week
Daily
Soliciting crime tips
Never
Less often
2-3 times/month
2-3 times/week
Daily
Monitoring special events (sports, public demonstrations, dignitary/celebrity visits, etc.)
Never
Less often
2-3 times/month
2-3 times/week
Daily
Notifying the public of crimes
Never
Less often
2-3 times/month
2-3 times/week
Daily
Notifying the public of emergencies/disasters
Never
Less often
2-3 times/month
2-3 times/week
Daily
Notifying the public of traffic issues
Never
Less often
2-3 times/month
2-3 times/week
Daily
Community outreach to build public relations
Never
Less often
2-3 times/month
2-3 times/week
Daily
Background investigations for job candidates
Never
Less often
2-3 times/month
2-3 times/week
Daily
In-service training
Never
Less often
2-3 times/month
2-3 times/week
Daily
Recruitment
Never
Less often
2-3 times/month
2-3 times/week
Daily
Analytical support
Never
Less often
2-3 times/month
2-3 times/week
Daily
3.
Does your agency have a policy that provides rules and guidelines on how social media should be used for investigations and/or analytical support?
Yes
No
Don't know
4.
How did you learn to use social media in your investigations or crime monitoring activities? (Check all that apply)
Training given at my agency
Training at a seminar or conference session that was dedicated to using social media in law enforcement or in which social media use was one of the topics
Self-driven training via different associations I belong to (i.e. IACA)
Information available on community sites that I participate in (i.e. PoliceOne, ConnectedCops.net/LAwSComm, etc.)
Information from different vendors I use, such as investigative solutions providers
Information available in the general media or online
Working with a colleague that uses social media for this purpose
Self-training/brought knowledge from my own use of social media for personal purposes
Other (please specify)
5.
Generally, how much do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about social media when you are investigating/monitoring/soliciting information on crimes?
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
Social media is a valuable tool in anticipating crimes.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
Social media is a valuable tool in investigating crimes.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
I am very comfortable using social media for investigative
purposes.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
Information obtained via social media is credible.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
Information obtained via social media can help me solve my investigations more quickly.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
Those in command at my agency encourage and support the use of social media for investigations.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
Creating personas or profiles on social media outlets for use in law enforcement activities is ethical.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree
Social media in crime fighting/investigative activities will be critically important in the future.
Strongly Disagree
Strongly Agree